Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe

Forget takeout—this restaurant favorite is tastier and healthier at home and a great use for leftovers!

Ordering takeout is a temptation—even for someone like me who makes a living cooking meals. It’s convenient and (usually) tastes good. I can sit back and read a book, and typically a competently prepared dinner will magically appear at my door. But there’s also a downside to some takeout food: health sometimes takes a backseat to flavor.

One dish I always crave when ordering Chinese food is vegetable fried rice. I could eat an entire carton by myself! So clearly I had to figure out how to make it at home. I wanted a dish that I could consider “healthy,” but also one that tasted similar to what I usually order. And this recipe is it—simple but delicious! And like any recipe you make at home, you can control the ingredients to get the flavor you like, plus you can tweak the nutrition in a way that works for you. Another plus: Fried rice is a great way to use up leftovers. It’s one dish that’s actually best with day-old—or several days old!—rice. And if you want to toss in leftover cooked veggies or proteins, you definitely can.

Is This Vegetable Fried Rice Healthy?

This vegetable fried rice is a great option for most vegetarians and omnivores looking for a quick, healthy meal. The eggs bring the protein and vitamins D and B12. The vegetables inject the recipe with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. And although you can use white rice, opting for brown rice will give you more fiber and other nutrients. And remember, if you’ve got a dietary goal—like getting more protein or working more vegetables into your diet—you can always customize the recipe with your own additions. Finally, although this dish is lower in sodium than most takeout options, the soy sauce in it could be a concern for some diners. Using lower-sodium soy sauce is an option, as is decreasing the amount of soy sauce or leaving it out altogether.

If you’d like a vegan version, simply leave out the eggs and double or triple the amount of edamame. You could also add another vegan source of protein instead, like tofu or seitan; just make sure you cook these briefly in the skillet first, as you would with the eggs, then mix them in toward the end of cooking just to heat them through.

Why Use Day-Old Rice in Fried Rice?

While nothing beats the flavor, aroma, and texture of fresh, fluffy rice for most uses, fried rice is the exception. The starch molecules in rice crystallize when refrigerated overnight, making the rice drier and less prone to clumping or mushing. That means when you stir-fry the rice, you’ll get grains that are more distinct and more evenly mixed with flavorings and ingredients. And if you’re wondering how old the rice can be for fried rice, the answer is three to four days.

But what if you only have fresh-made rice on hand? No problem! While day-old is better, fresh-made rice can be used in a pinch, and your dish will be delicious anyway. Just be sure to focus on breaking up clumps of rice and folding the ingredients in rather than mashing everything together as you stir-fry the dish.

Serving Suggestions

Cooking up a meal for a larger crowd? Here are other recipes you might like to make to accompany the fried rice.

Asian Chicken (with Pak Choi): This chicken thigh recipe with pak choi (bok choy) is a family favorite.

Healthy Homemade Orange Chicken: Quick, easy, and so much better and healthier than your typical takeout version.

Paleo Low-Carb Keto Beef And Broccoli: Here’s an easy one-pot weeknight meal that even picky eaters will love!

Oriental Coleslaw With Asian Dressing: This colorful, Paleo and vegan-friendly coleslaw is loaded with spicy-sweet flavors.

Recipe